no report yet
Air bag/restraint control module: software
NewRisk. Air bags and seat belt pretensioners that do not activate in a crash increases the risk of injury.
2021 Hyundai Kona ElectricProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-941 the manufacturer reports only 91% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 2, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric has problems
27 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
10Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
5Engine
2Service brakes
2Vehicle speed control
2Visibility
1Fuel/propulsion system
1Back over prevention
1Exterior lighting
1Forward collision avoidance
22 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 1 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 1 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2024 Q4
Thermal management: fluid/coolant
Risk. Coolant contacting the EPCU circuit board may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Control module: software
Risk. Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Kona Electric year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Kona Electric median. How we score
'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
In owners' words
What Kona Electric owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
On February 3, 2026, while driving in a high-traffic turning lane, my Hyundai Kona Electric vehicle suddenly lost propulsion and would not accelerate. The vehicle shut down without warning and could not be restarted. Traffic was building behind me, creating a safety hazard. I felt unsafe due to…
Hyundia has had my car in for the SAME recall 4 to 5 times. 6 total weeks this time around. The ""refill inverter coolant" light kept coming back on. The last time I got it home it had more issues than when I took it in and wouldn't even catch a charge. (EV) They fried my compassitor trying to fix…
The car was unable to charge using level 3 DC fast chargers, necessitating the use of a level 2 charger for an extended length of time in order to be able to return home. A Hyundai dealer replaced the charging inlet lock actuator (invoice attached).
Own a 2021 Kona Electric?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.